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Dylan (The Charger) 13.2hh gelding, 8 years

Problems: Speed freak, fear of being ridden.

Dylan was adorable, as long as you stayed on the ground.  As soon as you got on to his back, he was off, as fast as he was allowed.  This gave him major problems with going too fast, which in canter, led to bolting.  He was only 8 years old.
We called him 'Dylan the Charger!'  It wasn't that he had no respect for the bit.  He simply couldn't feel it.  His mouth had gone completely dead.

The mere sight of the saddle and bridle would send him cowering in fear to the back of his stable.  Not that he made any fuss.  He would let you tack him up without a murmur and even stood still to be mounted.

It was once you got going that the trouble started.  Whatever pace you were in, he always wanted to go faster - much faster!

We focused on his hacking out.  That's usually a good place to start - and as usually happens on a good, long ride (at least 2 hours) round the country lanes, with plenty of loose-rein walking, he settled down completely.

Then, we did a long-distance trek of 100 miles or more.  He took to that very well indeed, but still wanted to bolt in canter.  Then one day, came the magic moment when I gave away the reins in canter and he didn't speed up into bolt.  It was one of those heavenly moments, when you know you've made a breakthrough.  All he had to do was lengthen his stride and stop panicking.  It sounds easy, but when you are a desperately frightened horse or pony, it isn't!
From that point onwards, he got steadily better.  He put on weight (he was so thin when we bought him) and finally turned into the perfect pony.  He was as well behaved at a Pony-club rally as riding bare-back round the countryside in a head-collar.

Dylan was very lucky.  He found the perfect owner.  A 14 year old friend of the family bought him from us and the pair of them lived happily ever after! 

If you found this story interesting you might like to know more about how to build trust and give your horse confidence.  Be his best friend  tells you all about it.

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